Method and apparatus for taking and transferring bacteria samples

ABSTRACT

1. AN APPARATUS FOR GATHERING BACTERIA SAMPLES FROM SELECTED SURFACE AREAS AND TRANSFERRING SAID SAMPLES TO A CULTURE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: (A) A ROLL OF ADHESIVE TAPE, SAID TAPE HAVING A NONDRYING ADHESIVE SUBSTANCE TO ONE SIDE THEREOF; (B) HOUSING MEANS SORROUNDING ND ROTABLY SUPPORTING SAID ROLL OF ADHESIVE TAPE WHEREBY THE TAPE MAY BE SELECTIVELY UNWOUND FROM SAID TAPE ROLL THROUGH A SLOT PROVIDED IN THE PERIPHERY OF SAID HOUSING, SAID HOUSING BEING ENCLOSED TO SEAL THE TAPE FROM EXTRANEOUS BACTERIA AND SAID SLOT BEING NARROW TO PERMIT CLOSE PASSAGE OF SAID TAPE;   (C) PROJECTING MANDREL MEANS EXTENDIG OUTWARDLY A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE FROM SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID SLLT, SAID MANDREL AT ITS OUTER END INCLUDING A FLAT, FULLY EXPOSED SURFACE, SAID SURFACE HAVING A WIDTH SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE WIDTH OF THE TAPE AND A LENGTH THE SAME AS THE WIDTH OF THE TAPE TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIALLY SQUARE SURFACE AREA OVER WHICH SAID TAPE MAY BE WRAPPED WITH ITS ADHESIVE SAID EXPOSED FOR PRESSING SAID ADHESIVE SIDE AGAINST SAID SELECTED SURFACE AREA FOR GATHERING A BACTERIA SAMPLE AND THEREAFTER, PRESSING THE SAME AREA OF THE TAPE AGAINST A CULTURE MEDIUM FOR TRANSFERRING THE BACTERIA THERETO, AND (D) MEANS ARRANGED ON THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID HOUSING ADJACENT TO SAID SLOT FOR SERVING USED PORTIONS OF THE TAPE FROM SAID ROLL.

Nov. 5, 1974 r J. 5. ROSE 3.8 6.2 8

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TAKING AND TRANSFERRING BACTERIA SAMPLESOriginal Filed Jan. 26, 1970 C. *ilmm L i 1 T FIG. 2'

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3,846,248 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TAKING AND TRANSFERRING BACTERIASAMPLES J. Sterling Rose, Denver, Colo., assignor to Birko ChemicalCorporation, Denver, Colo. Continuation of abandoned application Ser.No. 207,110, Dec. 13, 1971, which is a division of application Ser. No.5,702, Jan. 26, 1970, now Patent No. 3,661,718. This application Oct.26, 1973, Ser. No. 409,916

Int. Cl. C12k 1/10 U.S. Cl. 195-127 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA tape dispenser, having means for supporting a nondrying adhesive tapetherein, includes a depending mandrel having a flat surface ofpredetermined area. Tape from the roll is unrolled and pulled over themandrel with the sticky side out. The flat surface of mandrel coveredwith the tape is pressed on a surface to be tested for bacteria, and thecontaminated tape, over the mandrel, is then pressed onto surface of aculture medium. By using gelatin-like culture medium, it may be heldupside down for transfer of bacteria from the dispenser, to preventextraneous contamination from airborne bacteria.

This is a continuation of my copending application, Ser. No. 207,110,filed Dec. 13, 1971 (and now abandoned), which was a division ofapplication Ser. No. 5,702, filed Jan. 26, 1970, now US. Pat. 3,661,718,issued May 9, 1972.

The present invention relates to bacteria sampling, and moreparticularly to a novel method and improved apparatus for gatheringsamples of bacteria and transferring the bacteria samples to culturemedia.

*Heretofore, sterilized cotton swabs moistened with a sterilized liquidhave been employed for taking samples of bacteria from selectedsurfaces, such as equipment, walls and animal surface tissue, floors,etc. The samples once taken were transferred from the surface of themedia after which the samples were incubated. After predeterminedperiods of incubation, counts of the bacteria present in the cultureswere made. These bacteria counts which represent the bacteria present inthe bacteria samples were then compared to a predetermined standard, andthereby the degree of cleanliness of the selected surfaces from whichthe samples were taken was determined.

In using such bacteria sampling techniques wherein the bacteria countsof dilferent samples are compared against a predetermined standardcount, or against each other, it is essential that the bacteria samplesbe taken uniformly in order to obtain meaningful results which are trulya measure of the relative cleanliness of the selected surfaces fromwhich the samples were taken. Consequently, with the use of cottonswabs, it has been found necessary to train technicians in the art ofgathering bacteria samples from selected surfaces and transferring thesesamples to cultures. In an attempt to obtain uniformity, one techniquetaught to technicians for gathering and transferring samples has been tolightly roll a swab across a selected surface, thereby to gather thebacteria sample, and thereafter to transfer the bacteria sample to theculture by lightly rolling the swab thereacross. A disadvantage inherentwith such a method of taking bacteria samples is that the uniformity ofthe samples taken primarily depends on the skill of the particularperson gathering the samples.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod and improved apparatus for gathering and transferring bacteriasamples which obviates the disadvantages of the prior art.

United States Patent It is further an object of the present invention toprovide a novel method as set forth which is characterized by employinga non-drying adhesive substance for gathering and transferring bacteriasamples.

It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus as set forth which employs a material having anadhesive surface for gathering and transferring bacteria samples in aconvenient, quick and uniform manner.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a novelapparatus as set forth which is constructed in such a manner as toenable unskilled persons, as well as trained bacteriologists, to obtainuniform bacteria samples from selected surfaces.

In accomplishing these and other objects and advantages, there has beenprovided, in accordance with the present invention, a tape dispensingmeans including a roll of tape. The tape has a nondrying adhesivematerial on at least one side thereof and is dispensed so as to passacross a flat mandrel-like surface positioned on the tape dispensingmeans with the adhesive side out. Thereby, the tape may be positionedagainst the predetermined area, mandrel-like surface and bacteriasamples may be taken from a selected surface by employing the mandrel topress the adhesive side of the tape against the selected surface. Thebacteria sample is taken from a predetermined area of the selectedsurface and is transferred to a culture media such as an agar-agarculture medium by employing the mandrel to press the same adhesivesurface of the tape against the surface of the culture medium. The tapemay then be unrolled to position a fresh unused portion of the tape overthe mandrel, and another bacteria sample may be taken immediately. Meansare, also, provided on the tape dispensing means for severing portionsof the tape from the tape roll. Thus, there is provided an improvedapparatus for taking bacteria samples which enables unskilled personnelto take uniform bacteria samples by the novel method of using anondrying adhesive substance to gather bacteria samples from a selectedsurface and transfer the sample to a culture medium for incubation.

A better understanding of the present invention may be had from thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of an apparatus for gatheringbacteria samples in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a roll of adhesivetape positioned therein and being dispensed therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing thetape dispensed from the roll of adhesive tape and positioned for takingand transferring a bacteria sample;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in position belowan upside down tray containing a gelled culture medium with a cover forthe apparatus shown adjacent the apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational View of a modified form of tape dispenser,according to the invention.

Referring to the FIGS. 1-4 in more detail, there is shown a tapedispensing means, indicated generally by the numeral 1, having a housing2. The housing 2 is formed by two interlocking sections 2a and 2b which,when joined, from a flat rectangular shaped box having a shaft 3centrally disposed therein and a slot-like opening 4 defined in one sidethereof. In one form, the rectangular shape of the box defined by thehousing 2 is generally square and the slot 4 is preferably located atapproximately the center of one of the sides of the housing 2. Otherconfigurations of the dispenser may be utilized to meet therequirements. For example, an essentially round housing is satisfactoryfor many purposes.

The tape 5 is preferably loaded in the housing 2 under sterileconditions and housing sealed for protection against contamination. Theroll of tape 5 is shown positioned in the dispensing means 1 in FIGS. 2and 3. In FIG. 3, the tape 5 is shown unrolled so as to extend throughthe slot 4 and over a depending mandrel 6.

The mandrel 6 is mounted on the side of the housing 1 adjacent the slot4. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the mandrel 6 is mounted below the slot 4and is shaped to provide a flat surface 7 of predetermined areaextending away from the housing 2. Generally, the surface 7 issubstantially parallel with the side of the housing 2 upon which themandrel 6 is mounted. Where desired, the area may be rounded, ratherthan flat, to facilitate taking samples from various surfaces.

Mounted on the same side of the housing 2 as the mandrel 6 is a serratedcutting edge 8, near the upper end of the housing 2 above the slot 4.The cutting edge 8 is serrated to provide a simple and easy means forcutting used portions from the tape 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the width of the tape 5 is slightly greater than thewidth of the mandrel 6. This is intentional so that the tape 5completely covers the mandrel 6, and when bacteria samples are takenwith the tape 5 the mandrel is not contaminated by the bacteria. Thisprevents accidental contamination of the tape from bacteria present onthe mandrel 6. Further, it is noted that the tape 5 preferably has anadhesive substance only on its inner surface 5a. The roll of tape 5,therefore, is positioned on the shaft 3 in the sense so that as the tape5 unwinds the outside surface 5b of the tape 5 passes over the surfaceof the mandrel 6. Thus, the adhesive surface 5a of the tape 5 facesoutwardly away from the dispensing means 1 when positioned across theflat surface 7 of the mandrel 6. Since the surface 5:: is the innersurface of the rolled tape, the adhesive surface 5a is in a sterile,noncontaminated condition as unwound from the tape roll 5.

Shown in FIG. 5 is one type of a cover 9 which may be placed over themandrel 6, if desired, Whenever the dispensing means 1 is not in use,thereby, to prevent unnecessary contamination of the mandrel 6. Thedispensing means 1 is shown in FIG. 5 positioned beneath a culture tray15. The tray has a culture media 16 therein which may be, for example, anutrient broth, such as beef broth, containing a gelatinous or orgum-like substance, such as agar-agar and gelled for use. The culturemedium tray 15 is divided into nine marked areas, each portion being forreceiving one bacteria sample. The tray 15 is shown turned upside downin FIG. 5 so that a bacteria sample gathered on tape 5 on the mandrel 6may be moved up into contact with the culture medium and transferred toit. The culture medium is normally clear and the tray is glass or clearplastic so the sample may be observed through the tray bottom.

In operation, a roll of adhesive tape 5 is positioned in the housing 2of the dispensing means 1 about the shaft 3. Tape 5 is then unwound fromthe tape roll and pulled over the mandrel 6 and its fiat surface 7 asshown in FIG. 3. The tape 5 completely covers the surface 7 and theadhesive surface 5a of the tape 5 is positioned over the mandrel 6facing outwardly away from the housing 2. To take a bacteria sample froma selected surface, the dispensing means 1 and in particular, the flatsurface 7 of the mandrel 6, is used to press a predetermined area of theadhesive surface 5a of the tape 5 against the selected surface. Thisbacteria sample is then transferred to the culture 16 in the tray 15 bypressing the tape over the mandrel end against the culture 16. Inpractice, the culture tray 15 is turned upside down as shown in FIG. 5,and the bacteria sample is at that time transferred to one of thedivided sections of the culture 16.

After taking and transferring one bacteria sample, the tape 5 is furtheradvanced to a portion of unexposed tape pulled over fiat surface 7 ofthe mandrel 6. Then a second bacteria sample may be taken andtransferred to a marked section of the culture 16. To take additionalbacteria samples, the tape procedure is merely repeated once a bacteriasample has been transferred to a marked sec tion of the culture 16, theculture 15 is turned agar slide up and placed in an incubation chamber.The bacteria samples are then incubated and observed after predeterminedperiods of time, such as twenty-four hours, fortyeight hours, etc.Bacteria counts are made for each marked section of the culture 16,after the desired interval of incubation as is conventional. Thebacteria counts may then be compared to predetermined standards todetermine the relative cleanliness of the selected surfaces from whichthe bacteria samples have been taken.

The modification of FIG. 6 utilizes a generally round container 30having a tape roll supporting shaft 32 depending from one side of thecontainer. The container may for convenience be formed of two separable.halves. A depending mandrel 34, provided with a flat, predetermined areasurface 35, extends from the container, with one side of the mandrel ata tangent to periphery of the container. An elongated opening 38provides a slot through which the tape is dispensed. A depending bar 39extends across the top of the slot and from side to side thereof. Asecond depending bar 40 is spaced from the first bar and it extendsacross the container, both bars extending with their longitudinal axessubstantially parallel to the axis of the shaft. Adjacent to the secondbar, on the side opposite the first bar, is a serrated cutter 42. Tapeis mounted in the container so that as it is pulled out of the slot, theadhesive side is facing the bar 39.

In using the dispenser of FIG. 6, a length of tape is pulled from theroll, and wrapped around the mandrel 34 over the surface 35. A bacteriasample is taken, transferred to a culture medium, and the used portionpulled over the two depending bars 39 and 40 so that the bacterialsample section is beyond the bar 40. The adhesive sticks to the bars andthe used portion is readily out off on the serrated cutter. The user maynow grasp the tape between two bars, elevated above the containersurface by the two bars, and sufficient tape pulled out to wrap aroundthe mandrel for additional samples.

It is noted that in a dispensing apparatus constructed in accordancewith the present invention, the fiat surface on the mandrel 6 wasdimensioned to have a size of approximately x /8. A tape has a slightlygreater width than the anvil, and the exemplary dispensing apparatusconstructed enabled one to conveniently take bacteria samples coveringan area of x (W sq. in.) from selected surfaces. Further, since to takeand transfer a bacteria sample one is required to only press the flatsurface 7 of the mandrel 6 against the selected surface to be sampled,it is apparent that no special skill is required to use the apparatus ofthe present invention. Additionally, numerous bacteria samples may berapidly taken with the same roll of tape by merely advancing the tapesufficiently after each sample to position an unexposed anduncontaminated portion of the tape on the mandrel surface. The exposedtape may be left intact with the tape roll until numerous bacteria testshave been taken. Thereafter, the exposed tape may be cut from the taperoll by means of the cutting edges and then discarded. For storage, themandrel, if desired, may be covered with a cover.

Thus, there has been provided an improved apparatus for taking bacteriasamples which enables even unskilled personnel to quickly andconveniently gather uniform bacteria samples. The bacteria samples aretaken by the novel method of using a predetermined size of surfacehaving an adhesive substance thereon to gather bacteria samples from aselected surface and to transfer the samplc to a culture for incubation.The method is unique in sampling the same size of surface each time,which provides an accurate means of correlating bacteria counts ofvarious surfaces.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for gathering bacteria samples from selected surfaceareas and transferring said samples to a culture, said apparatuscomprising:

(a) a roll of adhesive tape, said tape having a nondrying adhesivesubstance to one side thereof;

(b) housing means surrounding and rotatably supporting said roll ofadhesive tape whereby the tape may be selectively unwound from said taperoll through a slot provided in the periphery of said housing, saidhousing being enclosed to seal the tape from extraneous bacteria andsaid slot being narrow to permit close passage of said tape;

(0) projecting mandrel means extending outwardly a substantial distancefrom said housing adjacent said slot, said mandrel at its outer endincluding a fiat, fully exposed surface, said surface having a widthslightly less than the width of the tape and a length the same as thewidth of the tape to provide a substantially square surface area overwhich said tape may be wrapped with its adhesive side exposed forpressing said adhesive side against said selected surface area forgathering a bacteria sample and thereafter, pressing the same area ofthe tape against a culture medium for transferring the bacteria thereto,and

((1) means arranged on the outer surface of said housing adjacent tosaid slot for severing used portions of the tape from said roll.

2. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said house ing means is asubstantially rectangular or round box having a centrally located shaftfor rotatably supporting a roll of tape and a slot in one side of saidrectangular or round box through said tape may be unwound from said taperoll.

3. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said housing means is asubstantially round box having an enclosed shaft for rotatablysupporting a roll of tape therein, and a slot in the edge of saidhousing through which the tape may be unwound from the roll.

4. The invention recited in claim 1, including means for covering saidmandrel whenever said apparatus for gathering and transferring bacteriasamples is not being used.

5. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said means for severingsaid tape is a serrated cutter mounted on said housing means spaced fromsaid opening in said housing means.

6. The invention recited in claim 5, being further characterized by apair of spaced-apart bars extendings across the width of said housingmeans and between said means for severing, providing a finger grip forsaid tape when across said bars.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,423,962 7/1947 Clark et al.15104 A 2,671,917 3/1954 Martin et a1 225-6 X 2,673,042 3/1954Fritzinger 15104 A 2,787,014 4/1957 Barry 15104 A 2,854,682 10/1958Berezny 15-104 A 3,089,170 5/1963 Buchsbaum 15-104 A X JAMES R. HOFFMAN,Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

15l04 A; D741 B

1. AN APPARATUS FOR GATHERING BACTERIA SAMPLES FROM SELECTED SURFACEAREAS AND TRANSFERRING SAID SAMPLES TO A CULTURE, SAID APPARATUSCOMPRISING: (A) A ROLL OF ADHESIVE TAPE, SAID TAPE HAVING A NONDRYINGADHESIVE SUBSTANCE TO ONE SIDE THEREOF; (B) HOUSING MEANS SORROUNDING NDROTABLY SUPPORTING SAID ROLL OF ADHESIVE TAPE WHEREBY THE TAPE MAY BESELECTIVELY UNWOUND FROM SAID TAPE ROLL THROUGH A SLOT PROVIDED IN THEPERIPHERY OF SAID HOUSING, SAID HOUSING BEING ENCLOSED TO SEAL THE TAPEFROM EXTRANEOUS BACTERIA AND SAID SLOT BEING NARROW TO PERMIT CLOSEPASSAGE OF SAID TAPE;